DISCOVER the BESTSELLING DYSTOPIAN NOVEL behind the AWARD-WINNING TV SERIES Second season now airing on Channel 4 starring Elisabeth MossThe official TV tie-in edition of The Handmaid’s Tale, with a new introduction from Margaret Atwood

‘I believe in the resistance as I believe there can be no light without shadow; or rather, no shadow unless there is also light.’

Offred is a Handmaid in The Republic of Gilead, a religious totalitarian state in what was formerly known as the United States. She is placed in the household of The Commander, Fred Waterford – her assigned name, Offred, means ‘of Fred’. She has only one function: to breed. If Offred refuses to enter into sexual servitude to repopulate a devastated world, she will be hanged. Yet even a repressive state cannot eradicate hope and desire. As she recalls her pre-revolution life in flashbacks, Offred must navigate through the terrifying landscape of torture and persecution in the present day, and between two men upon which her future hangs.

Masterfully conceived and executed, this haunting vision of the future places Margaret Atwood at the forefront of dystopian fiction.

'As relevant today as it was when Atwood wrote it…no television event has hit such a nerve …The Handmaid’s Tale is more relevant one year after the first season’ – Guardian

'Don’t expect to be gripped by a more potent or involving drama this year' – Telegraph

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Review

"Compulsively readable" (Daily Telegraph)

"The mother of all feminist dystopian novels." (Sarra Manning Red)

"The novel satirises the strain of evangelical puritanism in American culture and the objectification and control of women’s bodies. It is more broadly a contemporary myth of despotic power, and how such power deforms those who are subjected to it." (Tim Adams Observer)

"One of Atwood’s finest pieces of work serves as a great reminder of what humanity is capable of." (Hannah Dunn Red)

"Margaret Atwood is a wry and perceptive observer of society as well as an original storyteller" (Cecilia Heyes Psychologist)

From the Inside Flap

WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION FROM MARGARET ATWOOD

The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs.

Brilliantly conceived and executed, this powerful vision of the future gives full rein to Margaret Atwood's irony, wit and astute perception.

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What an incredible book. Somewhat unbelievable in some ways, but very much believable as it could happen, in the worst scenario ever (look at what's happening today). It could be reality, it could be women's worst nightmare. I haven't seen the TV programme, only read the original book, so no idea how the writer's have progressed this story for TV. It left a mark on me, it opens your mind as to how women have been treated over time and how we are considered a 'lesser person vs men'. Disturbing book, but very thought provoking. Very.

Ive never read a book like this before. And I've read many hundreds in my life. This was on a blog titled: '25 books every woman needs to read in her life' and it came in at number one. I'm so glad I bought it because I couldn't put it down

If I had to use one word to describe this book it would be "terrifying". I simply loved it!

Not my usual read. But read on the recommendation of a friend . Don’t expect the script of the TV series the book is much much better.Margaret Atwood uses words to spin a tale in which you get entangled. I really didn’t want to put it down, even though I watched it on TV and knew the story. I would and have recommended this book to friends not as a vintage classic but as a must read classic

This book is amazing. It has been my favourite novel for fifteen years since I read it for A Level. I'm now an English teacher and every year I buy more copies than I'd like to admit to give to students. It is, in my opinion, the perfect dystopian novel: fiction that's just close enough to reality to scare the living daylights out of you.

I decided to read this book as a suggestion of something that is quite different from what I normally read. I think it's not quite as different as it appears from my usual scifi/fantasy, so perhaps not surprising that I found it throughly engaging. I always enjoy world building, and Margret Atwood sketches out a Puritan dystopia, finding the balance between detail and mystery that I think is important. The handmaids tale is one of trying to survive in hostile time and place, where you find yourself out of the elite,but can remember a better time. Do you hold on to the past and to the hope of return, or accept where you and forget the better times as a cause of sadness and rather make the best of the present.

Can't believe it's taken me so long to get round to reading this book. I was not disappointed. I love the writing style of Margaret Atwood and the detail that went into the creation of the book. I could hardly put it down until I finished it.

I read the poor reviews and the good ones. I watched the series. Both book and tv adaptation, in my opinion, are fantastic. The book is a very descriptive narrative of a nightmare society. I loved the descriptions so eloquently written by the author. I would not hesitate to recommend this. The reviews give an indication of what will and will not appeal and I suggest they be looked at before spending money.

I started watching the drama serial on TV and was determined to read the book before the drama finished. For me, this was a great read, couldn't put it down and it answered those background questions the TV drama threw up. I usually always read the book first before seeing the film, but have to say, visualising Elizabeth Moss as Offred as I read was a real bonus, good casting. This was such an original story and I loved the dialogue she used to create the totally menacing atmosphere.